Tuesday, September 18, 2007

492. The God Forsakes Antony (2,3,4) - C. P. Cavafy

Translated from the Greek by Rae Dalven

When suddenly at the midnight houran invisible troupe is heard passingwith exquisite music, with shouts––do not mourn in vain your fortune failing you now,your works that have failed, the plans of your lifethat have all turned out to be illusions.As if long prepared for this, as if courageous,bid her farewell, the Alexandria that is leaving.Above all do not be fooled, do not tell yourselfit was only a dream, that your ears deceived you;do not stoop to such vain hopes.As if long prepared for this , as if courageous,as it becomes you who are worthy of such a city;approach the window with firm step,and listen with emotion, but notwith the entreaties and complaints of the coward,as a last enjoyment listen to the sounds,the exquisite instruments of the mystical troupe,and bid her farewell, the Alexandria you are losing.

Suddenly, at midnight, when an invisible troupeis heard passing,with exquisite players, with voices—do not lament your luck, now utterly exhausted,yours acts that failed, your life's projects,all ended in delusion.Like a man who's all along been ready, like a man made bold by it,say your last farewell to her, to Alexandria, who is leaving.First, foremost, do not fool yourself,and say it was a dream, or that your ears were tricked;do not stoop to such vacant hopes.Like a man who's all along been ready, like a man made bold by it,in a way fitting the dignity that made you worthy of such a city,approach the window steadily,and listen, moved, but not needyand disgruntled, like a coward,listen, taking your final pleasure,to the sounds, to that mystic troupe's rare playing,and say your last farewell to her, to that Alexandria you are losing.

When suddenly at midnight, there comes the soundof an invisible procession passing bywith exquisite music playing, with voices raised—your good fortune, which now gives way; all your efforts'ill-starred outcome; the plans you made for life,which turned out wrong: don't mourn them uselessly.Like one who's long prepared, like someone brave,bid farewell to her, to Alexandria, who is leaving.Above all do not fool yourself, don't saythat it was a dream, that your ears deceived you;don't stoop to futile hopes like these.Like one who's long prepared, like someone brave,as befits a man who's been blessed with a city like this,go without faltering toward the windowand listen with deep emotion, but notwith the entreaties and the whining of a coward,to the sounds—a final entertainment—to the exquisite instruments of that initiate crew,and bid farewell to her, to Alexandria, whom you are losing.